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Saturday, 2 April 2016

Today I'm pleased to be welcoming Victoria Kincaid, writer of some excellent Austenesque reads which have seen variations such as a trip to Napoleonic France, a proposal from Colonel Fitzwilliam and even Elizabeth being saved from marrying Mr Collins. Her latest 'Pride and Prejudice' variation, 'Darcy vs Bennet' sees a very different dynamic in our dear couple's relationship. Here, Mr Darcy senior is still alive and the head of his family, meaning that Darcy is not yet master of Pemberley and therefore he has less freedom over his actions. Here, he and Elizabeth are kept apart by a family feud. I will hand over to Victoria for more about this alluring story, and a chance to win a copy for yourself!

* * *

I love the story of Romeo and Juliet. I think everyone can empathize with the idea
of lovers who are able to love each other despite familial prejudices and kept
apart by forces beyond their control. So
I’ve always wanted to write a Romeo and Juliet-type story (with a happy ending
instead of people dying in a tomb). I
liked the idea of combining R&J with Pride and Prejudice in part because it
gives our heroes, and especially Mr. Darcy, a different set of obstacles to
overcome.

We’re very accustomed to seeing Darcy as
the master of his fate, with complete control over his estate and his
fortune. But in Darcy vs. Bennet, his
father is alive and very much in charge of these things. His father also hates the Bennets because of
a longstanding feud. So this creates a
very interesting dynamic; Darcy must always consider his father’s reaction to
his relationship with Elizabeth. Darcy
is still a very strong character, but he must overcome a new set of
challenges.

Writing is always a process of discovery. When I start a book I always think I am
prepared for the upcoming twists and turns in plot and characterization, but
I’m always taken off guard by what ends up happening. While much of Darcy vs. Bennet follows the
basic plot of Pride and Prejudice, adding a family feud
and a new major character resulted in some new and surprising plot
developments. I was very pleased how it
turned out; and hopefully my readers will be as well!

Excerpt

Colonel Fitzwilliam is asking Darcy about a mystery
woman he met at a masquerade.

Darcy shot his
cousin a quelling look, disliking this levity at his expense. “It is not as if there are many women running
to me.”

“There would be
if you wanted them.”

Darcy had no desire
to have this conversation once more. He
fell wearily into his chair. “I asked
her if I could court her.”

“What?” Richard leaned forward so abruptly, some of
his brandy spilled on the floor. “Why,
that is wonderful!”

“She said no.”

Darcy’s cousin
blinked and then frowned. “Are you
certain you understood her correctly, Cuz?
You are the kind of man all women dream of.”

Rather than
being flattered, Darcy bristled at this compliment. “Apparently not all. She took the first opportunity to escape my
company.”

“Perhaps she
misunderstood your intentions. If you
visit her house…”

“I cannot,”
Darcy replied. “I know neither her
surname nor where she lives.” He levered
himself out of his chair and poured himself more brandy at the sideboard. This conversation required more alcohol.

“No surname?”
Richard exclaimed.

“It was a
masquerade,” Darcy ground out. “I
expected to learn her identity at midnight, but she was gone by then.”

“Surely your
host could tell you—”

Darcy was
already shaking his head. “There were
three Elizabeths invited, but none were young and unmarried—with a headful of
dark curls.”

“She was
uninvited?”

“Apparently. I care nothing for that. But I wish I knew her name…”

“Perhaps she was
from a neighboring estate.”

“I considered
that as well. I questioned the Berwicks
at length. No doubt they thought me
unhinged. But they have no neighbors
named Elizabeth who fit that description.”

“Perhaps she
gave you a false name.”

“It is
possible.” Darcy thought about how the
name seemed to suit her. He threw
himself back into his chair, unconcerned about how his clothes would
crease. “Why did she run? I cared not that she was uninvited. But she is the first woman I ever—” He stopped before revealing too much. Richard might be his best friend, but Darcy
did not discuss his feelings with anyone.
He rubbed his face with his hands.
“She did not know my name or that I am the heir of Pemberley, and yet
she liked me. I swear she liked
me!”

“Perhaps
something else caused her to flee,” Richard suggested.

Darcy stared
moodily into his brandy glass. “Such
as?”

“She might be a
member of a notorious smuggling ring…or perhaps a French spy. Or maybe she ran off to join the
gypsies.” Richard grinned.

Darcy
snorted. Under other circumstances he
might have laughed.

Richard made an
expansive gesture. “Now that you know
what kind of woman you find attractive, you may look for—”

Darcy’s teeth
ground together. “There are no other
women like her! Do you know how many
women I have met in this quest for a wife?
Hundreds! They all simper and
agree with everything I say.”

“And Elizabeth
did not?”

Darcy paused to
think how he would describe her.
“No…she…teased me. Challenged
me. I do not know why I find that
appealing.”

A smile quirked
one side of Richard’s mouth. “Perhaps
because no other woman does so?”

“Perhaps.” Darcy stood again, leaning an arm against the
mantel.

* * *

Book Blurb:
Elizabeth Bennet is drawn to a handsome, mysterious man she meets at a masquerade ball. However, she gives up all hope for a future with him when she learns he is the son of George Darcy, the man who ruined her father’s life. Despite her father’s demand that she avoid the younger Darcy, when he appears in Hertfordshire Elizabeth cannot stop thinking about him, or seeking him out, or welcoming his kisses….

Fitzwilliam Darcy has struggled to carve out a life independent from his father’s vindictive temperament and domineering ways, although the elder Darcy still controls the purse strings. After meeting Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy cannot imagine marrying anyone else, even though his father despises her family. More than anything he wants to make her his wife, but doing so would mean sacrificing everything else….

* * *

Hmm, I wonder who Darcy met at the masquerade?!! Since Victoria Kincaid has promised us a happy ending this is a variation that I'm very keen to read, particularly as I mentally re-wrote the ending of Romeo and Juliet after I read it, no tragic outcomes for me!

Giveaway time!

Victoria Kincaid has kindly offered to give away an e-book copy of 'Darcy vs. Bennet' to one of you. To enter, just comment on this blog post by the end of the day on Saturday 9 April. This is giveaway is open internationally.

If you cannot wait that long to read this book, it's available to buy now, in e-book or paperback

I could say exactly the same, Sophia, the story is so romantic, but then, for the want of about 5 minutes it all ends in tragedy! Why couldn't Romeo have been a procrastinator like Hamlet? He'd still have been dithering when Juliet woke up!

This excerpt was great! Especially after reading the previous one, the scene at the ball, on From Pemberley to Milton. I was figuring that FD would be devastated, and this shows it. Can't wait to read this book.

I hadn't read that excerpt, so I just popped over to read it, and it's delicious! For those who don't know there is also a giveaway for 'Darcy vs. Bennet' over at Pemberley to Milton: https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpress.com/2016/04/03/darcy-vs-bennet-excerpt-giveaway/

I love P&P and am always on the hunt for different versions of the story. D'Arcy v Bennett sounds fantastic. I love that old Mr D'Arcy is still alive. The excerpt is great I've always like col.fitzwillam he had such a dry wit it's a perfect contrast to D'Arcy pride. Can't wait to get my hands on the book. Well done Victoria

I love P&P and am always on the hunt for different versions of the story. D'Arcy v Bennett sounds fantastic. I love that old Mr D'Arcy is still alive. The excerpt is great I've always like col.fitzwillam he had such a dry wit it's a perfect contrast to D'Arcy pride. Can't wait to get my hands on the book. Well done Victoria

About Me

I've loved reading for as long as I can remember. I usually read romance, both historical and contemporary but I'm not usually a big fan of chick-lit. My favourite author is Jane Austen, and I really enjoy reading stories inspired by her work. I also love many of the works of L M Montgomery, Georgette Heyer and Mrs Gaskell, amongst others.